INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

FROM:

JoLynne DeMary
Acting Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT:

Staff Development Opportunities on Family Life Education Topics

This memorandum announces staff development opportunities for teachers or
instructional specialists on HIV prevention and Family Life Education (FLE) topics.
Summer Workshop at Longwood College (July 11-14, 2000): Up to 100 participants may
register for a workshop of several new staff development training modules. The
modules were developed in response to surveys conducted in 1996, 1998, and 1999.
Each skills-based module was developed as a collaborative effort of the Virginia
Department of Education, Virginia Department of Health, Longwood College (LC)
Virginia Comprehensive Health Education Training and Resource Center, George Mason
University, and Old Dominion University. The workshop will begin at 11 am on Tuesday
and end at 2:30 pm on Friday.
Currently, 14 FLE staff development modules are in various stages of development,
evaluation, and revision. Following is a list of the most recently developed
modules available for the summer 2000 session: (1) Strengthening Parental Involvement
in FLE; (2) Preventing Sexually Transmitted Diseases; (3) Integrating HIV, STD, and
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Education Across Curriculum; (4) Working with Diverse
Populations; (5) Preventing Sexual Harassment, Abuse, and Assault; and
(6) Understanding Legal and Ethical Issues Related to HIV and FLE. To address
priority needs, participants will identify on the attached registration form the
four topics they would most like to have offered at the summer workshop. Planning
team members will use these suggestions to organize the four-day session.
Beginning and experienced educators are invited to this pilot session for the new
modules. During the session, participants will be asked to evaluate each module's
content, activities, and training process. These comments will be valuable in
revising the modules for future use.
There is a $25 non-refundable workshop registration fee. The fee includes all
on-campus meals, lodging (based on double occupancy), and workshop resources.
Participants will be housed in an air-conditioned residence hall on the LC campus.
Most rooms accommodate two persons and are arranged in two-room suites with an
adjoining bath. Handicap-accessible rooms are available; however, the campus is
not a barrier-free environment. Questions and/or requests concerning access and
accommodations should be directed to the LC Director of Disability Support Services
at (804) 395-2391 or (800) 828-1120 TT relay. There are a limited number of single
rooms available for this event (one person per room, but sharing a bath with one
additional person). If participants want a single room, there is an additional
charge of $25 each night per room availability.
Teacher certification points for workshop attendance may be obtained by working with
the local school division human resource office. Participants holding national
certification as a comprehensive health education specialist (CHES) may obtain
recertification units during the training session. Inquire at the registration desk
for recertification information. For additional information on the CHES units or
the FLE training session, contact Dr. Fran Anthony Meyer, specialist for
comprehensive school health at (804) 225-4543.
Blue Ridge Institute (July 10-14, 2000): Simultaneously with the training session,
awareness-level workshops (80-minutes) on six of the FLE topics will be provided at
the Blue Ridge Institute at James Madison University. The workshops will provide an
overview of: (1) Reducing Risky Behavior; (2) Preventing Sexual Harassment, Abuse,
and Assault; (3) Managing Sensitive Issues; (4) Working with Diverse Populations;
(5) Strengthening Character-based Abstinence Education; and (6) Understanding Legal
and Ethical Issues Related to HIV and FLE. For information on the Institute,
contact Dr. Sandra Dofflemyer, specialist for health, physical education, and driver
education at (804) 225-2898.
Local and Regional FLE Staff Development Workshops: From 1997 to 1999, eight HIV/FLE
staff development modules were piloted and evaluated. These modules are under final
revisions. These modules include: (1) Understanding Human Sexuality: The Basics,
(2) Strengthening Character-based Abstinence Education, (3) Practicing Innovative
Teaching Strategies for Sexuality/HIV Education, (4) Preventing HIV Infection,
(5) Preventing Drug Use, Sexual Behaviors, and HIV Infection, (6) Preventing Risky
Behavior, (7) Managing "Sensitive" Issues, and (8) Dealing with Teen Pregnancy: A
Focus on Fathers. Each module is designed as a one-day (five to six hour) session
and will be available in the near future for additional local and regional workshops.
Individual or multiple-day workshops can be arranged depending upon the availability
of trainers.
For further information on local or regional FLE training sessions and workshops,
contact Dr. Fran Anthony Meyer, specialist for comprehensive school health at
(804) 225-4543.
JLD/FAM/shs/cp
Attachment